Can someone else attend my closing for me?

If you can’t attend your closing, you need to appoint someone to do so for you. For that person’s signature to count as your own, you will have to give them power of attorney.

Power of attorney is a document that allows someone else to act on your behalf. A general power of attorney gives someone broad power over your affairs; this is a good option when you’ll be out of the country for an extended period of if you are (or will be) physically or mentally incapable of handling your affairs.

For a real estate transaction, you more likely want a special power of attorney, which will allow that person to specifically handle your real estate transaction. Under a special power of attorney, you specify exactly what you’re giving the person the power to do.

If you’re giving someone power of attorney to represent you at closing, there are some extra things that person will need to bring with them. We will need the original, signed power of attorney document because it has to be filed in county land records. We will also need copies of the ID of the giver (that’s you) and ID of the notary who witnessed and signed the power of attorney document.

Let your home closing agent know you’ll be appointing someone else to represent you at closing. We can help you make sure you have the proper documentation of your power of attorney.